The transaction closed. 🎉
The commission check was picked up.
The keys were transferred.
Everyone moved on with life.

Well…almost everyone.

Because two weeks later, the lockbox was STILL hanging on the front door. 😅

And guess who noticed?

The new homeowner.

Nothing says “welcome to your new home” quite like discovering random agents may still have access to the property because someone forgot to retrieve the lockbox. 👀

CHS MLS rules require lockboxes to be removed within 48 hours after a property is sold, withdrawn, or expired. Leaving them in place can create safety concerns, seller and buyer complaints, and potential MLS violations.

 

A few reminders:

✔ Lockboxes must be removed within 48 hours after the listing status changes to sold, withdrawn, or expired.

✔ Lockboxes left behind create potential security and liability concerns.

✔ Buyers should not move into a home wondering who may still have access to the property.

✔ Forgotten lockboxes can lead to complaints from buyers, sellers, and other agents.

✔ CHS MLS allows other SmartCard holders to request an emergency shackle code and remove abandoned lockboxes after the allowed timeframe.

✔ “I thought someone else grabbed it” is not an approved MLS compliance strategy. 😅

Before closing out a file:

A forgotten lockbox may seem minor…until a homeowner realizes strangers could potentially still access the property. A 5-minute pickup can prevent a very uncomfortable phone call later. 😅